Path: utzoo!attcan!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!clyde.concordia.ca!uunet!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!ucbvax!PENNDRLS.UPENN.EDU!GTHEALL From: GTHEALL@PENNDRLS.UPENN.EDU (George A. Theall) Newsgroups: comp.sys.dec.micro Subject: Rainbow EchoMail Digest Message-ID: <9008191919.AA10568@remote.dccs.upenn.edu> Date: 19 Aug 90 20:20:00 GMT Sender: daemon@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU Organization: The Internet Lines: 177 Rainbow EchoMail Digest Aug 19, 1990 In this issue: KEYBOARD RE: KEYBOARD ANYBODY USING A ROBIN? RE: DEC MONITOR INQUIRY RAINBO WORKS CLOCK BBS RUNNING ON A RAINBOW Articles posted to either INFO-DEC-MICRO or comp.sys.dec.micro are currently gatewayed to the Rainbow Echo on FidoNet. You do not need to take special action to respond to articles in these digests. Please send reports of problems or suggestions for improvement of this digest to GTHEALL@PENNDRLS.UPENN.EDU (Internet). ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Date: 08-16-90 (13:32) To: ALL Subject: KEYBOARD From: PATRICK FINK I have now replaced the keyboard on my Rainbow, and it still wont work!! What else could be the problem. The Rainbow display ERROR - KEYBOARD Consult Users Guide. - --- Opus-CBCS 1.12 * Origin: Silver Bullet - Silver Spring, Md - 301-622-2247 ------------------------------ Date: 08-16-90 (19:24) To: PATRICK FINK Subject: RE: KEYBOARD From: CARL HOUSEMAN re: what else could it be In the worst case, the system board could be the trouble - or it could the cable from the system unit to the monitor, or the RJ11 connector, or... In several cases we've had apparent keyboard problems in VT-220's which ended up requiring the logic board be replaced. Failures like these make either (1) maintenance contracts or (2) spare parts invaluable. - --- Opus-CBCS 1.12 * Origin: Silver Bullet - Silver Spring, Md - 301-622-2247 ------------------------------ Date: 08-17-90 (07:33) To: GEORGE THEALL Subject: ANYBODY USING A ROBIN? From: FRANK MALLORY GT> Just wondering if anybody out there is still using an early 1980s GT> vintage CP/M based machine called a "ROBIN" - 64K of memory, CP/M 2.2, GT> processor?? I think it was also called a VT-180. I used one briefly for GT> a client (setting up a database) a few years ago, and reading here GT> about the Rainbow and things like that, I recall the machine, and was GT> wondering if anyone had any stories or whatnot. -- I sold mine only a few months ago. There was a users group for the Robin )ROG), but I haven't heard a peep out of them for many a moon. My memory of the Robin is pretty hazy, but I'll be glad to help when/if I can. - --- msged 1.99L MSC * Origin: Silver Bullet - Silver Spring, Md. - 301-622-2247 ------------------------------ Date: 08-17-90 (07:45) To: DAVID HEID Subject: RE: DEC MONITOR INQUIRY From: FRANK MALLORY DH> The first monitor has been used and he wants "more" for the unused DH> one. I suggested a max of $25 more which would bring it to 150+-. If DH> you are still interested ( or anyone else ) , let me know and I will DH> try to get it and ship it COD. Of course I will make him an offer for DH> you, just let me know how much!! 'fraid I would lose interest at any price over $100. Thanks anyway. DH> Now about what the Specs mean that you sent me. Can you describe what DH> each means?? ie: DH> Activation force "Activation force" I'm sure, specifies how hard you have to press on the screen to get it to accept an input at that point. This is probably irrelevant on the Rainbow, unless you can find some software (Windows?) that is set up for touch screen input (or mouse input, and the touch screen gives equivalent input). DH> resolution: .o4 in.(1.0 mm) Not sure, but I think it applies to the touch input. This would say that items displayed on the screen must be separated by at least 1.0 mm in order to generate distinct inputs. DH> ETC. "Sampling rate" also applies to inputs; it you provide inputs (i.e., touch the screen) at a rate faster than this, some may be lost. "Ports" refers to the connectors on the back. DH> I have four Rainbows and one has a Color monitor. VR241 DH> Do you think the VTRS is a higher resolution? No. The display characteristics of the VRTS should be identical with the VR241. DH> As I write this I think I am going to try to talk him into trying the DH> used one before buying. Do you know any economical source of the color DH> cables that are used with the Bow. I just re-read your answer and maybe DH> the keyboard and CPU can be attached with standard cables. I am the DH> more I think about it, am going to at least talk him out of the manuals DH> to read up on it. There is no separate cable listed for the VRTS; you should insist that the dealer furnish a cable with the unit. Presumably, the VT241 or Rainbow color monitor cable (same thing) can be used with the VRTS; I *assume* that separate cables would be used to interface the additional ports of the VRTS. DH> I tried to call you tonite at 301-622-2247, ( busy signal ) is that DH> your board or is it your voice number?? 2247 is the number for the Silver Bullet. - --- msged 1.99L MSC * Origin: Silver Bullet - Silver Spring, Md. - 301-622-2247 ------------------------------ Date: 08-15-90 (21:18) To: FRANK MALLORY Subject: RAINBO WORKS CLOCK From: DAVE GOW Back in May I left a message asking about a strange clock card in my 100+. You answered saying it might be a Rainbo Works Clock and that Caroline Mack might have more info. I did get a message back from her saying she had knowledge of the clock but no current info about its vendors. You had offered to put the needed software on your BBS i{_f ~rneeded, I would greatly appreciate it! Thanks!, looking to a message back from you. - --- Opus-CBCS 1.12 * Origin: Glacier Peak Rainbow, Bellevue, WA - 206/644-8431 (1:343/3.0) 261/1023 ------------------------------ Date: 08-17-90 (15:14) To: JEAN-CLAUDE DEMARS Subject: BBS RUNNING ON A RAINBOW From: FRANK MALLORY JD> I know zero about the rainbow computer but i am wanting to set up a BBS JD> on one. I have been working with BBS's on my 286 IBM compatable for JD> years but have never even powered a DEC up. Please, any ideas or JD> sources for software to run the computer would be VERY helpful... I am JD> supposed to have the system setup on Friday (yes, 2 days from now).... Opus works pretty well, but it will take longer than 2 days to get is set up properly. Of course, you won't receive this message until after your deadline, so I guess it's irrelevant. - --- msged 1.99L MSC * Origin: Silver Bullet - Silver Spring, Md. - 301-622-2247 ------------------------------